20040709 NCEP update(fwd)

• To: nws-changes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
• Subject: 20040709 NCEP update(fwd)
• From: John Ward <wd22jw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Friday, July 09, 2004 2:17 PM -0400

---------- Forwarded Message ----------


1.      NCEP will perform a quarterly super computer backup exercise on 
Wednesday, 14
July 2004 during the 12 UTC forecast cycle (1200-1700 UTC models).  If weather
conditions preclude performing this exercise on this date, we will attempt it 
again
the following day, Thursday, 15 July 2004 (again during the 12 UTC forecast 
cycle).

For this current exercise, model data from the NCEP Central Computer System 
(CCS)
will not be made available during the 12 UTC forecast cycle.  The only 
exception to
this is that the 12 UTC NGM MOS and GFS MOS products will be distributed at the 
end
of the test (approximately 3 hours late).

Further information on the type of products available from the backup 
processing and
their approximate delivery times can be found at the following web site:

    http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/ncepbk/ncep_backup.html

Example data sets from our backup partners (AFWA, FNMOC, and NOAA/FSL) can be 
found
at:

    ftp://ftpprd.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/data/nccf_backup/

2.   Installation of the CCS Phase II system has begun.  The
transition of NCEP operations to the Phase II system is expected to begin in mid
September 2004, with the system expected to becoming operational on or about 18
January 2005.  A moratorium on changes to the Production Suite is expected to 
begin
on or about 14 September and end in January 2005.  Changes required to correct
operational failures will continue to be made during the moratorium.  More 
details
will be provided as they become available.

3.   The transition in the file naming convention for the Global
Forecast System (GFS) has begun.  Over the next six to nine months all 
references to
AVN will be replaced by GFS.  On 14 June 2004, a duplicate file structure was
established on both the TOC and NCEP FTP servers.  All file structures 
containing
AVN now have a duplicate link containing GFS.  These duplicate file structures 
will
remain in place for 6 months.  On approximately 15 January 2005, all file 
structures
containing AVN will be eliminated.  Additional details about this transition 
can be
found at the following web site:

    http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/changes/avn-gfs_rename.html

4.   NCEP Central Operations is implementing a new DNS solution for World 
Weather
Building (WWB), Camp Springs, MD.  The deployment of the new DNS solution is
scheduled to commence 23 August 2004.  A component of the DNS solution is the
retirement of the "wwb.noaa.gov" and "fb4.noaa.gov" DNS domains.  The domain
"ncep.noaa.gov" is and will be supported in lieu of the "fb4" and "wwb" domains.

Scripts that access NCEP hostnames using the "wwb.noaa.gov" should be changed to
"ncep.noaa.gov" by 1 August 2004. For example, if accessing 
"ftpprd.wwb.noaa.gov",
change to "ftpprd.ncep.noaa.gov".  Changes to scripts should be made by 1 August
2004.  This will allow time to address problems before the deployment of the 
new DNS
system.  For internal NCEP users, a separate communications will provide further
instructions.  If there are any questions or concerns, please email
ncep.helpdesk@xxxxxxxx and copy Luis.Cano@xxxxxxxx.

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